Chief Adetunji Amole is 80. But he does not look it at all. He is strong and physically fit. This is the story of the man who founder Oluyole Chemists Ltd. in 1976.
It is the story of a respected Ibadan High Chief who is well loved in the ancient city.
On Thursday 12th October, 2023, a lot of Septugenarians and Octogenarians gathered at the Jogor Centre, along Liberty Road, Ibadan to celebrate with Papa. A lot of his classmates, in his good old days at Ibadan Grammar School came for the event with their spouses. The younger generation, who are friends with Baba’s children were well represented.
The celebration was in 2 parts. The 1st began with a Thanksgiving Service conducted by the Oritamefa Baptist Church, Total Garden, Ibadan.
They came to Jogor Centre to conduct the very impressive service. Deacon Adeyemi Atanda (the Deaconate Chairman) was there. Both Rev. Seun Olawore (Associate Pastor) and Rev. Dr. Diran Adeleke (the Church Pastor) were there also. They conducted the service that started at 11am. Before the commencement of the service which was attended by about 200 quality guests, there was a Praise & Worship session, upstairs at Jogor Centre, as the church choir rendered beautiful church songs. After the Praise Worship came the Opening Hymn: Praise My Soul, The King of Heaven. The service started with an Opening Prayer, followed by a Hymn Of Adoration: Praise To The Lord The Almighty.
There was a Welcome speech by the beautiful wife of the celebrant, Pharm (Mrs) Kehinde Amole. Grandma revealed the Purpose of Service. “We are gathered here to celebrate the 80th Birthday of my darling husband”, she told guests. She revealed that what God has done in his life calls for celebration.
“My husband and I have been living together for more than 50 years. He is very pleasant, very, very perfect. His wardrobe is always neatly arranged. He is a very lovely person. He is a Christian I thank God for his 80 years, for both of us being alive and blessed with a good mind and health.
Her speech was followed by Testimony Session.
The Deacon called on celebrant’s son to talk about his dad and he praised his dad for having given him and his siblings good upbringing. His sister also spoke. She thanked her dad for giving her a very good foundation. She is married to Prince Lekan Olashore. She confirmed that her dad is a very organised and meticulous person. “He is a very strict dad and he keeps to time”. So organised was he that we took a lot of his attributes. And I have passed it on to my children. When we were young, he used to be very strict with us. There was Bed time and TV time. We usually observe Light off. Whenever he comes back late, once we hear the sound of his car, we would quickly put off the TV and all go to bed.”
“Once he enters, he will go and touch the TV to know if it is hot. Once the top is hot he will know we just put it off. He will then wake all of us up to ask who and who has been watching TV when we should be fast asleep. He will punish us accodingly. He did the same with his car. When he is not around and we drive his car he will know by touching the bonnet of the car.”
Engineer Biodun Afolabi, his best man at Oritamefa Baptist Church also spoke. He is called Kabiyeesi. He came with his Oloori.
He said the celebrant loves music. He described him as so meticulous. “He is always punctual to Sunday School. By 8am he will be there for Sunday School that will start at 9am.
Each time I try to beat him to it, I usually end up coming at 8:15am. He has a large heart.
He likes to help people.
A lot of old students of Ibadan Grammar School came. This is a school founded 110 years ago by Bishop A. B. Akinyele. One of the old students, who was his classmate said Chief Amole is somebody to emulate.
“He has been a mentor to so many people who attended the school. He is forthright. He is kind. He is generous. He is truthful. He appreciates God. We love him. He was once the National President of Ibadan Grammar School Old Students. He leads with his own resources”.
Once he is committed to something, he does not look back. For instance, he loves Pharmacy profession. He was the National President of Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria. He is a damn good professional.
So in love is he with Pharmacy that 2 of his children are Pharmacists. Another classmate revealed that Chief Amole is blessed. He enjoys the Grace of God. “Tunji & Myself entered Ibadan Grammar School in January 1957. He is everything everybody has been talking about”.
“He is so meticulous. You can put a time to everything he does. You can predict what time he will get home. You can predict what time he will get to an event. You can time him. He is a very peculiar person”.
“When he likes you, you can do no wrong. You will become a saint. He won’t see a single fault in you”.
After all the testimonies, the Deacon called on Chief Amole to speak. It was Testimony time.
Chief Amole who is still very strong at 80 spoke about having enjoyed God’s Grace. At 80, he reads without glasses. His wife also looks good. She is prim and proper. Baba doesn’t use walking stick and has a sharp memory. “I have enjoyed the Grace of God. In fact, I will say I enjoyed the Grace of God very early in my life”. He recalled a lot of his escapades with his friends while in Ibadan Grammar School. I spoke about one experience that made him to learn to talk last, when he is in a group.
He said, “I have enjoyed the Grace of God in many ways. I faced troubles and learnt from it”. He spoke about the accident he had many years ago at Mile 110 when he drove into a ditch. “I could have died. That I am alive today is the Grace of God”.
After his testimony, he took the scripture reading. Psalm 30. After that, the Deacon delivered his message. He revealed 8 reasons why everyone gathered to celebrate with Chief Amole. He picked up the lessons from the same Psalm 30.
Number 1 He said it is because God lifted him up. Psalm 30 verse 1 says I will extol thee, O Lord for thou hast lifted me up and has not made my foes to rejoice over me. The Deacon said if not, the enemies would have gathered and begin to put him to shame.
The Number 2 lesson is from Verse 2 which says, O Lord my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me. The Deacon says God healed Chief Amole and has given him good body, and sound mind.
The Number 3 lesson he explained is that the 3rd thing God did was to have kept him alive.
Verse 3 says O Lord, thou has brought up my soul from the soul from the grave: thou has kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit.
Verse 4 says Sing unto the Lord, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.
Verse 5 speaks to the fact that for his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. The No 5 reason we are thanking God is that God has given him life, because of favour and through favour. Chief Amole said it here himself that he has enjoyed the Grace of God from early in life.
There is the Number 6 reason. The Deacon said “The No 6 reason we are celebrating with Chief Amole is because of prosperity than poverty. God gave him security and stability. Verse 6 of Psalm 30 says “And in my prosperity I said, I shall never be moved”.
Then, the 7th reason is to be found in Verse 7. God has given Chief Amole favour and strength in the face of challenges. “Lord, by thy Favour thou hast made my mountain to stand strong: thou didst hid thy face, and I was troubled.
And the 8th reason for celebrating with Chief Amole can be found in Verse 11.
“Today, we are not mourning. We have ample reasons to rejoice, he said”. The Verse says, “Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness”.
After the Closing Hymn, came the Closing Prayer and Benediction.
Guests now moved into the big hall downstairs for the grand reception, where family members and friends again eulogised the Birthday Boy.
Lets tell you a bit about this accomplished man called Chief Adetunji Amole who was born in Ibadan on 12th October, 1943. He is married to Pharm (Mrs.) Kehinde Amole with lovely children. An unrepentant Baptist, ‘Tunji Amole attends Oritamefa Baptist Church, Total Garden, Ibadan, where he is a member of the Sunday School Class Adult Men 1 . After his primary school education at Idikan Baptist Day School, Ibadan, he entered the prestigious Ibadan Grammar School in 1957 for his WASC and HSC courses with admission number 3200 and membership of Olubi House. He was the School Pianist between 1960 and 1964, and the Chapel Prefect in his final year. He then proceeded to the great University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) to study Pharmacy, graduating in June 1969. After a successful working career in the civil service of the then Western Region, Pfizer Nig Plc and Abbott Laboratories Ltd, he founded Oluyole Chemists Ltd in December 1976.
He is a past National President and current Trustee of Ibadan Grammar School Old Students Association. He is a past Chairman of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Oyo State. He is a founding member and past National President of the Family Club of Nigeria. An honourary member of The Challenge Club of Ibadan, Chief Amole is a patron of YWCA of St. Lukes Anglican Church, Molete, Ibadan. He served on the Board of Governors of some Secondary Schools in Oyo State including Bishop Akinyele Grammar School, Oke-Are, Ibadan and Oluyole Estate Extension High School, Ibadan. Chief Amole an Awardee of the Distinguished Membership of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria, is a Fellow ofthe Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (FPSN), since year 2000. A past Chairman of Oluyole Estate Extension Resident Association, Chief Amole is a three-star Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary International and a Past President of the Rotary Club of Agodi, Ibadan. He was honoured by the Government of Oyo State with title of Justice of Peace in the year 2000. He was conferred with the Honourary Chieftaincy title of Asaju Balogun Bobajiro of Ibadanland by the Olubadan of Ibadanland, HRM, Oba Yesufu Oloyede Asanike 1 on 3rd February, 1984.
A lover of Church and Classical music, Chief Adetunji Amole plays the keyboard. He enjoys watching good football game, and he is a die-hard Arsenal fan. Happy Birthday!
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